In 2012 Ashlee Ankudinoff missed out on selection for the
London Olympics but four years on she is in London for the
2016 UCI Track World Championships. Using the memory of that
disappointment and other set backs along the way to help her
reach the Rio Olympic Games as she chases Olympic gold.

"It has certainly motivated me to keep going as my ultimate
goal in this sport is to become Olympic champion," Ankudinoff
said of missing the London Olympics.

The journey has not been all smooth sailing for Ankudinoff the
longest serving member of the Australian team, now competing
at her seventh world championships. Only sprint
stars Anna Meares and Kaarle McCulloch have more starts.

With individual and team pursuit junior world titles and two
team pursuit titles at elite level to her name she is one of
the most credentialed track endurance riders of her time but
is looking to add another rainbow jersey to her collection on
route to what she hopes is Olympic gold later this year.

Racing in the 2015/16 season started for Ankudinoff back in
December in Cambridge, New Zealand where she pulled on the
rainbow jersey at round two of the World Cup series.

The rainbow jerseys of Ankudinoff and Cure along with Georgia
Baker and Isabella King shone in the final where they took
gold ahead of Canada.

"It was a great way to start the season," Ankudinoff said of
the team pursuit victory. "At the beginning of October we sat
down as a group and were told that we were targeting Cambridge
World Cup.

"We were going there to win. So to put the plan in to action
and win in the rainbows was rewarding."

Ankudinoff didn't race again until the Australian
Championships in early February, having been forced to miss
the defence of her omnium title in December with illness.

Ahead of the national championships the individual pursuit
title was the one Ankudinoff wanted.

The path to gold was first blocked in qualifying by reigning
world champion Rebecca Wiasak. Undeterred by the prospect
Ankudinoff put in a dominating ride not only qualifying
fastest but dispatching the world champion by six seconds to
the ride for bronze.

"I think I was just happy to have qualified first and riding
off for gold against Amy Cure," explained Ankudinoff.

It was a close battle for gold between Ankudinoff and second
fastest qualifier Cure in the final. Both Ankudinoff and Cure
have been junior world champions in the discipline and had
claimed medals at the elite World Championships.

After a number of near misses over the years with silver and
bronze medals to her name Ankudinoff's determination powered
her home. Claiming her fourth national title with the previous
three having come in the omnium.

"To win an individual pursuit national title was a goal of
mine for a couple of years, it was pretty special to win with
my parents in the crowd.

"I knew it was going to be a tough title to win as I was going
up against Beck who was current world champion and Amy
who had finished third at the World Championships as well so I
was happy with both of my rides in the IP."

Ahead of the World Championships in 2015 Ankudinoff was the
only active rider not from Great Britain to have claimed a
world title in the women's team pursuit. But was more than
happy for teammates Melissa Hoskins, Amy Cure and Annette
Edmondson to join the club as they claimed gold in world
record time to end GB's four year run.

"Looking back at it, it was a real pinch yourself moment, I
think it took quite a long time to sink in what we had
achieved.

"It was incredible to have had that experience alongside my
teammates."

A very similar team will line up this week in London with one
exception. Melissa Hoskins will miss the defence of the title
having come down with pneumonia last year and is focused on
recovering ahead of the Rio Olympic Games.

"It is very unfortunate to be missing Mel heading into these
World Championships but we are confident that we can put
together three great rides," revealed Ankudinoff two days out
from competition.

"Georgia Baker has really stepped up over the last year and
has certainly earned and deserved her spot. She brings some
great strengths and qualities to the team."

While Ankudinoff has been in this situation before looking to
defend a world title in many corners Australia has now gone
from being the hunters to the hunted. Great Britain want their
title back while Canada have made big improvements this season
and the Unites States are there as well.

"I guess it has changed our approach, but that's not to say we
have been complacent ever since winning last years worlds.

"We have trained just as hard and we are all hungry for more
success heading into not only these world championships but
Rio."

As the Australian individual pursuit champion and former
worlds medallist many might be expecting to see Ankudinoff
line up on day one in the individual pursuit. Along with Amy
Cure the duo have put their personal ambitions aside to focus
on the team pursuit.

"I'm not too disappointed as I don't think I had enough points
to have raced it as worlds. My main focus this year is
definitely the team pursuit as it is an Olympic event.

"Maybe next year I'll aim for that IP title!," added
Ankudinoff who has here eyes fixed on Olympic gold in Rio.

"I love riding my bike with a great group of friends and
wouldn't be riding still if I didn't love it."